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joewein.de LLC
fighting spam and scams on the Internet
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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam
The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.
Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.
Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!
Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.
Click here to report a problem with this page.
Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:
- An email address listed inside this email has been used in a known fraud before.
- This email uses a separate reply address that is different from the sender address. Spammers use this to get replies even when the original spam sending accounts have been shut down. Also, sometimes the sender addresses are legitimate looking but fake and only the reply address is actually an email account controlled by the scammers.
- The following phrases in this message should put you on alert:
- "dear friend" (a common phrase found in 419 scams)
- "million pounds" (they want you to be blinded by the prospect of quick money, but the only money that ever changes hands in 419 scams is from you to the criminals)
- "god fearing " (scammers in West Africa like to use religious phrases)
- This email message is a "dying widow" scam.
- This email lists free webmail addresses. Use of such addresses is typical for scams. Lotteries, banks and any but the smallest of companies do not normally use such addresses. Criminals use them to anonymously send and receive email at Internet cafes.
- audihamilton@aim.com (email address has been used in a known fraud before)
Fraud email example:
From: Mrs Hamilton <ahmiltn@yahoo.com>
Reply-To: audihamilton@aim.com
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:19:37 -0500
Subject: Please write back if you will be honest
Dear Friend
my name is Audi Hamilton undergoing medical treatment in South Rand Hospital ,
Gauteng. south africa.i am married
to dr. Graham Hamilton who worked with british judical commission in england.
We were married for fifteen years without a child. Before his death on the 5th
of july 2004.he made a vow to use his wealth for the less privileged.he
deposited the sum of 3.5 million pounds with one security company in
europe.presently, his money is still with the company.recently, my doctor told
me that i will not last for the next 4 months due to a rare form of cancer of
the pancreas but what disturbs me most is my stroke.i have decided to donate
this funds to a god fearing person who will
utilise it as my husband wished.I understand that blessed is the hand that
giveth. I took this decision because I do not have any child that will inherit
this money and my husband relatives are not inclined to helping poor persons
and I do not want my husbands hard earned money to be misused or spent in the
manner in which my late husband did not specify. I do not want a situation
where this money will be used in an ungod ly manner, hence the reason for
taking this bold decision. I am not afraid of death
hence I know where I am going. I know that I am going to be in the
bosom of the
Almighty. I do not need any telephone communication in this regard because of
my health, and because of the presence of my husband's relatives around me
always. I do not want them to know about this development. With God all things
are possible. As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of
the Finance/Security Company in Europe. I will also issue you a letter of
authority that will empower you as the original beneficiary of this fund. I
want you to always pray for me and Please assure me that you will act
according
to my specification herein.
I shall provide you with more detailed explanation on the situation
of things
after I have received your positive response to assist through this and
honestly too.
Note= direct your
response to this email for more information and for sake of
confidentiality [
audihamilton@aim.com ]
I anxiously await your reply
Mrs Audi Hamilton
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